2027: INEC releases draft political party regulations, seeks stakeholders’ inputs

*The Independent National Electoral Commission unveils a comprehensive review of its Regulations and Guidelines for political parties ahead of the 2027 General Elections

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Ahead the upcoming 2027 General Elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a comprehensive review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

ConsumerConnect reports INEC, in view of the development, declared that Nigeria could not approach the 2027 General Elections with an outdated regulatory framework in the system.

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Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of the Commission, disclosed this Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at a consultative meeting with political party leaders, in Abuja, FCT.

The Chairman of INEC, on the occasion, presented the newly drafted Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, for stakeholders’ inputs.

Prof. Amupitan also explained that the review followed a rigorous technical retreat by the Commission earlier this month.

According to him, the exercise was undertaken to align the 2022 Regulations with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Amupitan also stated: “We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map.”

He equally underscored the urgency of recalibrating the regulatory framework in view of the new legal regime and compressed electoral timelines.

The Commission said with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027, the Chairman noted that the reduction in statutory timelines under the Electoral Act 2026 demands what he described as “surgical precision” from both the Commission and political parties.

He reiterated that credible elections begin long before polling day.

“They begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates,” he stated.

According to him, the revised draft covers critical areas central to party administration and electoral integrity, including registration and merger of parties, internal party operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, party finance and election expenses, and conditions for deregistration.

Particular attention, he said, was paid to Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which empowers the Commission to determine election expenses for political parties in consultation with them.

The Chairman of the Commission further urged parties to carefully consider specific clauses relating to expenses for the management of party primaries and the conduct of elections.

Prof. Amupitan further disclosed that the review was guided by empirical findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), developed with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which highlighted gaps between party constitutions and grassroots realities.

He added that measurable benchmarks have been embedded in the draft to promote the participation of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

“Our aim is to sanitise party primaries and end the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuel voter apathy and generate avoidable litigation,” the Chairman said.

He urged party leaders to see the draft regulations not as a restriction but as a safeguard.

Prof. Amupitan assured stakeholders that “INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we are no longer passive observers to the erosion of democratic values.”

He averred: “Together, let us build an electoral ecosystem where the rules are clear, the playing field is level, and the outcome is beyond reproach.”

The INEC Chief told stakeholders that the consultative meeting was designed as a platform for constructive input.

“Let us approach this consultation with the rigour our democracy deserves.

“Together, we can enhance the integrity of our political processes and uphold the democratic ideals we all cherish,” stated he.

Speaking on the occasion, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, advocated urgent amendments to the Electoral Act 2026.

Dantelle described aspects of the law as regressive and a potential hindrance to preparations for the 2027 General Elections.

Affirming the commitment of political parties to credible elections, Dantalle expressed concern that certain provisions of the Act have placed immense pressure on parties, particularly those outside government.

He faulted the mandatory direct primaries provision, insisting that the choice of candidate selection method should remain an internal affair of political parties.

The Chairman described the requirement for submission of party membership registers, including members’ National Identification Numbers (NIN), within a limited timeframe as impractical and potentially exclusionary.

IPAC further demanded the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal immediately after announcement at polling units, stronger penalties for vote buying, and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.

Dantelle also said: “The prevailing trust deficit and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework.”

He warned that the international community is closely observing Nigeria’s democratic trajectory ahead of next year’s elections.

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